Throwback! Summer 2022

Summer is officially one month away, and to celebrate, here is a throwback to one of our scholar's activities from last summer!

During the summer of 2022, Smittcamp senior Katie Maze traveled to Masaya, Nicaragua with Students International, an organization focused on building up and equipping individuals in rural communities with the skills and resources they need to sustain various local professions. Katie worked as an aide for a local physical therapist, who ran a non-profit clinic for the community.

Katie, a Kinesiology Exercise Science major who will be starting Fresno State’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program this fall, found this trip to be incredibly rewarding and relevant to her studies.

She said, “This was an incredible experience for me as I work towards my own career as a PT. I was able to witness how physical therapy is an outlet to care for an entire person. Not only should healthcare professionals be willing to care for the physical needs of their patient, but, if needed, to support their emotional and spiritual needs as well. Through my experience in Nicaragua, I am better prepared to enter PT school with a well-rounded perspective on patient care.”

Katie emphasized how understanding and engaging with different cultures allows for greater appreciation for others, and highly recommends this opportunity to any individuals looking to pursue a future career in healthcare.

If you have any questions, you can contact her at @k8iemaze on Instagram.